Deer Management

Are you concerned about the deer population in Fairfax County?

Deer sightings in Fairfax County are not uncommon. While the presence of
deer in Fairfax has been a delight for some, other residents express
concern over damage to cars, gardens, and yards caused by deer.

Learn more about how Fairfax County is managing the deer population,
including:

Road safety: An average of 4000-5000 deer-vehicle collisions in the
County each year.

Wildlife habitat destruction: Over-abundance of deer results in
depleted food and natural habitat for birds, amphibians and
micro-organisms that are necessary to sustain County wildlife and the
natural environment.

Forest regeneration: Too many deer result in a lack of shrubs and plant
life. Plants most vulnerable include young oaks, maples and poplar
trees.

Ornamental plant damage: Deer diet includes many non-native vegetation
found in parks and neighborhoods, such as azaleas, hostas and
daylilies. The cost of this damage is of great concern to residents and
taxpayers.

Deer health: Too many deer living too close together reduces the
overall health of the county’s deer population. Deer compete with each
other for food and space.

Human health: Too many deer may increase human risk of exposure to
ticks infected with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Deer
may transport these ticks across the county.

Devaluation of the deer species: Although deer are a valued wildlife
species here, as well as in the wildlife chain, an overabundance may
cause some to view them as “pests."